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OAO Severstal Completes Upgrade Project at Izhora Pipe Mill
Mar. 21, 2012 OAO Severstal announces that its Izhora Pipe Mill (IPM), part of the Severstal Russian Steel Division, is completing an upgrade project worth over 82 million rubles (US $2.8 million).
The Izhora Pipe Mill specializes in the manufacture of large-diameter pipes from strips produced by the company’s Cherepovets Steel Mill. Its upgrade includes the installation of up-to-date equipment in 2012, which will help increase productive capacity, improve production quality and cut down expenses in the production of large-diameter pipes.
The large-scale upgrade project at the Izhora Pipe Mill got underway in June 2011, and capital repairs were made in the autumn of 2011, providing the foundation for the installation of new equipment. The final phase envisages installation of new equipment produced by Bauhuis International B.V. (a Dutch entity).
“The quality of large-diameter pipes and, consequently, trunk pipelines is a key component of the modern system for the supply of energy resources,” commented Nikolai Skorokhvatov, CEO, the Izhora Pipe Mill. “The implementation of major oil and gas projects promotes the development of new programs in the sphere of modernization and technical renovation of the Izhora Pipe Mill.”
The facility will install a shot-blasting machine to treat the pipes prior to cleaning (to include descaling, derusting, and matte finishing). According to the company, the shot blasting machine will enable the facility to increase the efficiency of the internal coating section by 25%, and also reduce the consumption of high-priced oil used for lubricating the expander, a tool that is used to bring a pipe to its proper geometry. The upgraded facility also includes a new internal blowing unit that will enable the internal pipe surface to be more efficiently treated, with dust and scale removed prior to painting, as well as induction-heating machinery that will enable painted pipes to be dried quickly and to a good quality.